1980's - The NearlyYears

When looking at the honours list, one might conclude that McDermotts were a spent force in the 1980's. However, the records do not tell the whole story as this decade could be fairly titled as the 'the nearly years'.

Unfortunately, the tide turned as those younger players, who had been brought successfully through the under the under age ranks, with tireless work from Jimmy Smith (RIP) and others, found it difficult to fill the vacuum left by their illustrious forbearers of the 70's.

With the expectation and hunger for success being too much for some of these players, the club struggled to maintain the interest of this home-grown talent, especially with soccer being their first choice game. Despite this, of the ten titles up for grabs, two were captured and another four were narrowly lost in the finals of '85, '86, '88 and 1989. It is a testamentto the high standards that were set when a club considers 2 senior titles and 4 lost finals as a less than satisfactory era.

The hurlers can be credited in this era with keeping the game alive in Warwickshire. With their only serious challenge being that of the club champonship and the dominance of London. Alas, like the 70's that all important provincial title evaded them, losing by a point in the centenary year final (1984) to John Desmonds of London.

It was in this era that the strong tradition of underage fooball continued. Again, with the determined efforts of Jimmy Smith (RIP) who brought on board Gerry Cunnane, the club began to dominate at juvenile level.

Numerous titles at U12, U14, U16 and minor level were secured and it was these teams that often provided the silverware in thos barren spells of limited senior success.

Finally, the end of the decade, saw the club elect Jimmy Smith (RIP) to Life President in recognition of his endless work and dedication from the very beginning of the club to its standing as one of the most successful clubs in Great Britain.